Taiwan Monitors Chinese Military Movements Amid Pacific Drills and NATO Summit

Taiwan's defence ministry closely observes Chinese military activities following increased warplane drills with China's Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific. The exercises coincide with a NATO summit in Washington addressing China's role in Russia's Ukraine war and systemic challenges to Europe.

Taiwan's defence ministry announced on Thursday that it is closely monitoring Chinese military activities following a significant surge in warplane drills involving China's Shandong aircraft carrier in the Pacific. The Chinese exercises take place alongside a NATO summit in Washington, where a draft communique highlights China's increasing influence in Russia's war effort in Ukraine and its ongoing challenges to European security.

According to Taiwan's defence minister, the Shandong aircraft carrier sailed near the Philippines en route to the Pacific drills. Over the past 24 hours, Taiwan detected 66 Chinese military aircraft operating around the island. Of these, 39 aircraft moved to the south and southeast of Taiwan, with 36 heading to the Western Pacific for drills with the Shandong.

In its daily military update, Taiwan's defence ministry released images of a Chinese J-16 fighter and a nuclear-capable H-6 bomber, noting they were taken recently but without specifying the exact location or timing. Ministry spokesperson Sun Li-fang affirmed that Taiwan has a comprehensive understanding of Chinese military activities in the Taiwan Strait and surrounding waters, including the drills involving the Shandong.

(With inputs from agencies.)